System and method for objectively assessing an experience undergone by an individual

Abstract

A system and a method for objectively assessing an experience undergone by an individual. The system comprises: a first sensing device, configured to detect a heart rate (HR) of the individual; a second sensing device, configured to detect a heart rate variability (HRV) of the individual; a third sensing device, configured to detect a body temperature (BT) of the individual; a fourth sensing device, configured to detect an electrodermal activity (EDA) of the individual; and a processing device, configured to: determine a current HR of the individual; determine a current HRV of the individual; determine a current BT of the individual; determine a current EDA of the individual; perform a comparison of the current HR, the current HRV, the current BT and the current EDA with respective recommended maximum thresholds; and provide a result of the comparison, in the form of a graphical representation and / or a summary indicator.

Description

[0001] SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBJECTIVELY ASSESSING AN EXPERIENCE UNDERGONE BY AN INDIVIDUAL

[0002] The present invention relates to a system and a method for objectively assessing an experience undergone by an individual, i.e. a person.

[0003] In the context of the invention, “experience” means any activity such as, for example, skiing downhill, driving a motorcycle, staying at a hotel, going on a date with a potential soul mate, visiting a shop, taking part in a race, watching a movie or going to a show.

[0004] The system and the method according to the invention are particularly useful and practical for performing an objective assessment of at least one experience like those mentioned above, on the basis of a plurality of parameters detected on the individual during that experience and which contribute to represent the emotional state of the individual.

[0005] As is known, emotions felt by a person are usually detected by means of self-assessment tools, by directly asking the person how they feel. An example of these self-assessment tools are ones based on “likes” or star ratings. Although quick and easy to use, these self-assessment tools are not devoid of drawbacks, which include the defect of being subjective and, therefore, decidedly imprecise. The same drawbacks extend to any detection method based on administering a questionnaire, as that questionnaire will be based on the assumption that the person in question is aware of the emotion they felt and, at the same time, capable of categorizing it correctly and uncritically.

[0006] Typically, the above mentioned drawbacks become acceptable only when the goal of the detection is to understand the emotions of a group rather than of a single individual: the larger the group, the less important are the differences in subjective assessment. However, when the detection is aimed at understanding the emotions of a single individual, self-assessment tools and / or administration as described above are rather unreliable.

[0007] Systems are also known which aim to deduce the emotions of a person from their behavior and from the context in which the emotions are elicited. For example, some applications (such as the app commercially known as “Body Language”) promise to teach a user to interpret the gestures and / or facial micro-expressions of the person, in order to read the person’s emotions. However, since these existing applications are limited to providing a set of images with which to categorize the various gestures and / or facial micro-expressions by way of respective explanations, none of these applications represents a system of objective assessment.

[0008] As is also known, any external stimulus that elicits one or more emotions in an individual alters the activity of the autonomic nervous system in some way. To measure the emotions of an individual, therefore, it is possible to measure the excitement of the autonomic nervous system, by monitoring certain parameters like heart rate, respiratory frequency and moment-to-moment changes in the electrical conductivity of the skin of that individual. However, although measurements of autonomic functions such as heart rate, finger temperature, skin conductance and muscular activity do produce distinct patterns (i.e., specific schemes) for mutually different emotional states, it is often difficult to associate each pattern with a specific, respective, emotion.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is to overcome the limitations of the known art described above, by devising a system and a method that favor an objective assessment of an experience undergone by an individual, i.e. a person.

[0010] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method that enable assessing the experience of an individual in a simple, efficacious and reliable manner.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to objectively assess the experience undergone by an individual, so as to purge the assessment of any cognitive bias and / or glaring error made by the human mind in remembering the event or in (re)processing a sensation. An additional object of the invention is to mine / exploit a data stream to quantify how much an individual liked an activity (of greater or lesser duration).

[0012] A further object of the invention is to analyze the experience undergone by an individual based on objective data that can be collected in a simple and rapid manner during that experience.

[0013] An additional object of the invention is to devise a system and a method that enable representing the experience that an individual undergoes when doing or being subjected to something. In this context, the invention seeks to facilitate the identification of a measurable quality (i.e., an extent / magnitude or fullness) of the experience, and to qualify that experience in an objective, simple and effective manner. By contrast, the system and the method according to the invention do not have the object of identifying the emotions felt by the individual during the experience, nor the object of giving a name to such emotions.

[0014] An additional object of the invention is to facilitate an objective analysis of the quality (i.e., of the effectiveness) of an experience on the basis of a detection of measurable variables that can be indicative of one or more emotions of the individual.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to estimate a level of pleasure or appreciation of an individual on the basis of a small number of input parameters and variables relating to that individual. By contrast, it is not an object of the invention to provide assistance with the health or well-being of the individual. Therefore, the system and the method according to the invention have no objectives of a medical nature.

[0016] Not least an object of the invention is to provide a system and a method that are of high reliability, relatively simple to implement, and economically competitive when compared to the known art.

[0017] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a system and by a method for objectively assessing an experience undergone by an individual, according to the independent claims.

[0018] Preferred embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

[0019] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the system and of the method for objectively assessing an experience undergone by an individual according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 is a block diagram that schematically shows an embodiment of the system according to the invention;

[0021] Figure 2 is a graphical representation obtainable through the system and / or the method according to the invention;

[0022] Figures 3a-3d are four views of a same chart which can be used to objectively assess the experience undergone by an individual using the system and / or the method according to the invention, wherein each view highlights a respective quadrant of the chart, and wherein each quadrant comprises a plurality of respective levels of color shade;

[0023] Figures 4 to 6 are graphical representations which are useful for understanding an algorithm that can be used by the system and / or by the method according to the invention; and

[0024] Figure 7 is a block diagram that schematically shows an individual and a garment for that individual, wherein the garment comprises a number of sensing devices that the system of Figure 1 can use to detect some parameters of the individual.

[0025] In the figures and in the formulas described herein, reference signs distinguished by the presence of a superscript / prime (’) indicate respective parameters or variables of which the value is parameterized according to an appropriate scale.

[0026] In the cited figures, the system according to the present invention is indicated with the reference numeral 10, while an individual of whom the system 10 seeks to objectively assess an experience undergone is indicated with the reference numeral 90.

[0027] In each embodiment, the system 10 comprises a first sensing device 12, a second sensing device 14, a third sensing device 16, and a fourth sensing device 18.

[0028] The first sensing device 12 is configured to detect a heart rate (hereinafter, abbreviated to HR) of the individual 90. Preferably, the HR of the individual 90 is expressed in beats (or pulsations) of the heart per minute (abbreviated to bpm).

[0029] Typically, when the individual 90 is in a resting condition, the HR of the individual is regular and, generally, comprised in a physiological interval that ranges from 60 to 100 bpm. Therefore, in some preferred embodiments, a minimum value of HR at rest is fixed at 60 bpm.

[0030] In practice, when the HR falls within the above mentioned physiological interval, the HR is considered “normal”. By contrast, when the HR falls outside the respective physiological interval, the HR can indicate a state of stress or fatigue of the individual 90.

[0031] Furthermore, when the HR is “normal”: high HR values can be indicative of activity / reactivity on the part of the individual 90 and, therefore, may be associated with relatively high levels of pleasure on the part of the individual 90; by contrast, low HR values can be indicative of relaxation or tiredness of the individual 90 and, therefore, may be associated with relatively lower levels of pleasure.

[0032] The second sensing device 14 is configured to detect a heart rate variability (hereinafter, abbreviated to HRV) of the individual 90. Preferably, the HRV is expressed in milliseconds (msec).

[0033] The HRV is the variation of heartbeat (i.e., variation of HR) at rest, where “variation” does not mean a macroscopic variation (which can be induced by changes in frame of mood, external temperature, or movements of the individual 90), but rather a micro-variation which is influenced by the autonomic nervous system.

[0034] The HRV can be gathered from an appropriate wave chart (not shown) which translates the trend of an electrical signal generated by the heart, wherein each point on the wave chart represents the instantaneous HR.

[0035] In particular, once a peak in the electrical signal is detected: an elapsed time since a previous peak is calculated; and a number of heartbeats per minute that would have occurred if the HR had not changed in that minute is determined, provided every time interval was equal to the time elapsed between the detected peak and the previous peak. Then, by repeating the operation for a plurality of pairs of peaks, oscillations in the duration of the various time intervals can be identified, and these oscillations constitute the HR variation (i.e., the HRV).

[0036] In practice, the HRV expresses the fact that - all other conditions being equal - the autonomic nervous system of the individual 90 can vary one heartbeat with respect to another by a few milliseconds (20 - 40 msec): these are physiological variations, which indicate that the body of the individual 90 is responding flexibly to internal stimuli. On the contrary, a heartbeat that does not have micro-variations indicates that the body is fatigued and that, in order to not create further imbalances, the autonomic nervous system is minimizing any variation of the heartbeat.

[0037] When the HRV lies within a respective physiological interval (comprised between 20 and 40 msec), that HRV is considered “normal”. By contrast, when the HRV falls outside the respective physiological interval, that HRV can indicate a state of stress, fatigue, or overtraining of the individual 90. Therefore, the less the HRV varies, the greater the sensation of stress on the part of the individual 90. By contrast, the more the HRV varies (within the physiological intervals), the more the body of the individual 90 is relaxed, flexible, and ready to respond to external stimuli.

[0038] Further, when the HRV is “normal”: relatively high values of HRV can be indicative of relaxation (and, therefore, of readiness to respond to external stimuli) on the part of the individual 90; by contrast, relatively low values of HRV can be indicative of stress or fatigue of the individual 90. As a consequence, relatively high “normal” values of HRV may be associated with relatively high levels of pleasure on the part of the individual 90; by contrast, relatively low “normal” values of HRV may be associated with relatively low levels of pleasure.

[0039] In some variants, the first sensing device 12 and the second sensing device 14 are mutually independent devices. In alternative variants, the first sensing device 12 and the second sensing device 14 are integrated in(to) a same device 13 (for example, a chest heart rate monitor (i.e., a monitoring device adapted to be worn on a band across the chest of the individual), a wrist heart rate monitor (i.e., a monitoring device adapted to be worn on the wrist of the individual), or a smartwatch).

[0040] The third sensing device 16 is configured to detect a body temperature (hereinafter, abbreviated to BT; in the cited figures, T) of the individual 90. Preferably, the BT is expressed in degrees centigrade (°C).

[0041] In practice, during an experience undergone by the individual 90, the autonomic nervous system of that individual 90 can stimulate blood circulation in a more or less homogeneous manner, depending on the extent / intensity of the experience undergone (and, thus, depending on the emotions felt during that experience), thereby leading to a more or less selective heating of different regions of the body of the individual 90. For example, when the body of the individual 90 is fully pervaded by “strong” reactions (like happiness, anger and love), the autonomic nervous system of that individual 90 can stimulate blood circulation so as to activate a homogeneous heating of even the furthest regions of the body. Conversely, when the individual 90 experiences states of sadness or depression, the autonomic nervous system can activate a "differentiated" production of heat, so that the furthest regions of the body will generally be colder than central regions.

[0042] Since a level (or value) of BT varies depending on the point of the body where that BT is measured, the third sensing device 16 is preferably configured to detect the BT of a chest / armpit region of the individual 90. For example, the third sensing device 16 can be a sensor integrated in a heart rate monitor worn on a chest band, like the band mentioned above.

[0043] The fourth sensing device 18 is configured to detect an electrodermal activity (hereinafter, abbreviated to EDA) of the individual 90.

[0044] The EDA, also known as “galvanic skin response” or “cutaneous galvanic response”, is an electrical property of the skin that depends on secretions by eccrine sweat glands which reflect changes at the autonomic nervous system level (and, more precisely, at the sympathetic nervous system level).

[0045] The most-studied property of the EDA is skin conductance, which consists of the skin's capacity to conduct electricity. Typically, skin conductance increases in a linear relationship with a / the number of sweat glands that are activated by the autonomic nervous system at a given moment (so that, when those sweat glands are not activated, high resistance is measured). The skin conductance can be quantified by applying an electric potential difference between two points of contact with the skin and measuring a flow of electrical current resulting from the application of that electric potential difference.

[0046] In practice, the EDA reflects variations of skin conductance that are caused by transpiration, and can be indicative of emotions like pleasure. For example, external emotional stimuli (like a sudden noise, a sigh, a sentence or a word uttered by someone) cause a fall in electric resistance in some skin areas, in particular in the palms and on the soles of the feet. The same effect can be obtained with internal emotional stimuli (such as imagining frightening scenes, or other scenes with high emotional content). This transitory response, known as “psychogalvanic reflex” (or “psychogalvanic skin resistance”), has a characteristic waveform with a rise time of approximately 1-2 seconds and a longer fall time. The time necessary for the electric resistance value to return to pre-stimulus level is approximately 20 seconds. This effect also depends on the ambient temperature and tends to disappear if the ambient temperature exceeds 30 degrees.

[0047] Preferably, an ideal ambient temperature for recording psychogalvanic skin resistance is approximately 20-28 degrees.

[0048] In the majority of cases, each EDA signal contains two items of information: a skin conductance level (hereinafter abbreviated to SCL) and a skin conductance response (hereinafter abbreviated to SCR).

[0049] The SCL, also known as “tonic level”, indicates a base level both of a sympathetic activation of the autonomic nervous system and of an activity of the eccrine glands.

[0050] In particular, the SCL represents an absolute value of electric cutaneous resistance, and fluctuations in the SCL reflect slow fluctuations in the EDA. By contrast, the SCR reflects a phasic activity of the individual 90, and is a parameter constituted by rapid responses caused by specific stimuli of an emotional, sensory or ideational nature.

[0051] In practice, the value of a tonic activity (and, thus, of the SCL) is high when the individual 90 is relaxed; by contrast, when the individual 90 is agitated and nervous, the sweat on the skin increases, while the electric resistance of the skin drops, thereby causing the SCR.

[0052] Typically, the SCR occurs in the form of phasic alterations that can be quantified as a variation in dimension / amplitude from a base level value (before presentation of a stimulus) to a peak value of the EDA. In other words, an SCR corresponds to “valid” pulses, i.e. pulses that exceed a certain threshold in a given time interval (for example, pulses that have a dimension / amplitude above 0.02 pS and which occur in a time interval of less than 9 seconds from the beginning of the increase in dimension / amplitude). Usually, the number of SCRs is estimated at the moment when a response threshold ranging from 0.01 to 0.05 pS is reached. The following properties of the EDA signal can be extracted from SCR peaks (and, thus, from EDA peaks):

[0053] - a number of SCR peaks, obtained by counting a quantity (or the number) of peaks in the entire phase of acquisition of the signal or in a time window (which, usually, lasts for a minute);

[0054] - a sum of SCR amplitudes, calculated by summing the amplitudes of all the meaningful pulses (i.e., the pulses that exceed the response threshold); and / or

[0055] - a frequency of SCR peaks, obtained by dividing the sum of the SCR peaks by the duration of a predefined time phase.

[0056] In general, values of approximately 2 SCRs / min indicate that the individual 90 is in a state of relaxation, while values higher than or identical to 20 SCRs / min indicate that the individual 90 is psychologically excited.

[0057] In practice, the tonic level moves upward as a consequence of a stressor (i.e., a stress element / event / factor). In this case, the SCR increases but does not drop to the original base level; instead, the SCR creates a new base level or tonic level. This happens when the sympathetic activation caused by the stimulus does not "run out". In this manner, subsequent variations of the SCR begin from the new SCL. By contrast, the tonic level can move downward during relaxation of the individual 90: the previously described sympathetic activation can in the end "run out" and the new high SCL decreases gradually, such that it is possible to obtain a lower SCL.

[0058] An EDA signal with a “step trend” (common to people who are subjected to chronic stress) occurs when the individual 90 is exposed to multiple stressors (e.g., stress factors) with insufficient time to recover between the stressors (e.g., between one stress factor / event and a subsequent stress factor / event).

[0059] In particular, a first stress factor triggers an increase of the SCR with insufficient recovery, which leads to a higher SCL (as described previously). A subsequent stress factor triggers an additional increase of the SCR with poor recovery, which leads to an even higher SCL. This process continues until repeated occurrences of the stress factor end.

[0060] When no response is visible in the EDA signal even when an eliciting stimulus is present, a non-responsive pattern (i.e., an EDA signal with a “flat” SCR) is obtained. This lack of response does not indicate relaxation, but is probably due to inadequate detachment, to distraction, to excessive checking, and / or to impotence. A lack of response can also be due to very callused or dry skin on the palms of the hands.

[0061] Optimal models of skin conductance arise when stress factors cause a visible SCR, but the sympathetic activation rapidly returns to the original SCL, before a new stress factor is presented. It is an index of proper functioning to respond to a stress factor, since it is probably something that requires attention. A return to the original base level after a stress factor disappears is an extremely important indicator of the healthy functioning of the autonomic nervous system.

[0062] In practice, when a person is psychologically activated, the person’s EDA increases. This increase is found in the variation in the level of EDA with respect to its base level. Assessment of skin conductance is based on measuring and interpreting the tonic levels (and therefore, the SCL acquired during measurement of the base level, in the absence of stimuli) and the phasic variations (i.e., the SCR) of the skin conductance of the individual 90.

[0063] The EDA can therefore be expressed in microseconds (pS), or as a frequency of SCR peaks (SCRs / min).

[0064] In practice, the fourth sensing device 18 is configured to measure the galvanic skin response of the individual 90, by means of detecting the skin conductance of that individual 90. For example, the fourth sensing device 18 can comprise any of the following commercially-available sensors:

[0065] - NGWlpc Grove GSR;

[0066] - Mindfield® eSense Skin Response - GSR sensor for iPhone® & Android™;

[0067] - Fingertip Grove Detection.

[0068] Preferably, the fourth sensing device 18 is a wearable device. For example, the fourth sensing device 18 can be configured to be worn on a hand of the individual 90.

[0069] In some particularly advanced preferred embodiments, one or more (and, more preferably, all) of the first sensing device 12, the second sensing device 14, the third sensing device 16 and the fourth sensing device 18 can be integrated in / into a (single) garment 19 (such as, for example, an undershirt that can be worn by the individual 90). In this manner, it is possible to obtain smart clothes that are capable of detecting (and, therefore, making available) data relating to the HR, HRV, BT and EDA of the individual 90.

[0070] In each embodiment, the system 10 further comprises a processing device 20. For example, the processing device 20 can be a processor of a smartphone, a tablet computer, a personal computer, or of another type of electronic device.

[0071] In each embodiment, the processing device 20 is configured to determine the following four parameters of the individual 90:

[0072] - a current HR (HR’), by means of the first sensing device 12;

[0073] - a current HRV (HRV), by means of the second sensing device 14; - a current BT (BT'), by means of the third sensing device 16; and - a current EDA (N'scr), by means of the fourth sensing device 18.

[0074] In practice, the processing device 20 is operatively connected to the four sensing devices 12, 14, 16 and 18. The operative connection between the processing device 20 and the four sensing devices 12, 14, 16, 18 can be obtained by means of a wireless and / or wired connection.

[0075] Advantageously, the processing device 20 is further configured to: - perform a comparison of the current HR (HR’), the current HRV (HRV’), the current BT (CT’), and the current EDA (N’scr) with respective recommended maximum thresholds (HRiim, HRVs.iim, BTupr, SCRupr) for, respectively, the HR of the individual 90, the HRV of the individual 90, the BT of the individual 90, and the EDA of the individual 90; and

[0076] - provide a result of the above mentioned comparison (between current values and recommended maximum threshold values), in the form of a graphical representation 80 and / or a summary indicator.

[0077] In this manner, the processing device 20 provides an objective assessment of the experience undergone by the individual 90.

[0078] In practice, the processing device 20 enables the system 10 to assess an experience undergone by the individual, based on a method that comprises the following steps:

[0079] - determining a first current value (HR’), related to the HR of the individual 90;

[0080] - determining a second current value (HRV’), related to the HRV of the individual 90;

[0081] - determining a third current value (BT’), related to the BT of the individual 90;

[0082] - determining a fourth current value (N'SCr), related to the EDA of the individual 90;

[0083] - performing a comparison of the first current value, the second current value, the third current value, and the fourth current value with respective recommended maximum thresholds (HRiim, HRVs.iim, BTupr, SCRupr) for the HR of the individual 90, the HRV of the individual 90, the BT of the individual 90 and the EDA of the individual 90; and

[0084] - providing a result of the above comparison, in the form of a graphical representation and / or a summary indicator.

[0085] In particular, the above mentioned method is executed by the processing device 20 (and, therefore, the method is computer-implemented ).

[0086] In some preferred embodiments, the processing device 20 is configured to provide the result of the above mentioned comparison in the form of a chart 80 that shows:

[0087] - the HR, the HRV, the BT, and the EDA of the individual 90; and - the four recommended maximum thresholds for, respectively, the HR, the HRV, the BT, and the EDA of the individual 90.

[0088] For example, the processing device 20 can have a screen 29 which can display both the current values of HR, HRV, BT and EDA of the individual 90, and the four recommended maximum thresholds for that individual 90.

[0089] The above mentioned recommended maximum thresholds comprise a first recommended maximum threshold HRiim, related to the HR of the individual 90. Basically, the first recommended maximum threshold HRiimexpresses an upper limit for the HR of the individual 90. Preferably, the first recommended maximum threshold HRiim is calculated as 85% of a maximum theoretical HR, HRmax, of the individual 90.

[0090] The maximum theoretical HR (i.e., HRmax) can be determined in advance, based on the age of the individual 90. In particular, the maximum theoretical HR can be calculated by using Cooper’s formula. According to this formula, the maximum theoretical HR is obtainable by subtracting the age of the individual 90 from the number 220.

[0091] In some variants, the processing device 20 is configured to calculate the first recommended maximum threshold HRiim and / or the maximum theoretical HR (i.e., HRmax). In alternative variants, the processing device 20 is configured to receive as input one, more than one, or all of: the first recommended maximum threshold, HRiim„ the maximum theoretical HR (i.e., HRmax,); and a minimum resting HR (i.e., a minimum value of the HR at rest). For example, the processing device 20 may receive such input data from further processing devices and / or from an appropriate mobile application (such as the Apple™ Health app). In particularly advanced variants, the processing device 20 is configured to calculate or obtain the maximum theoretical HR (i.e., HRmax) from tests conducted by / on the individual 90. The above mentioned recommended maximum thresholds further comprise a second recommended maximum threshold HRVs.iim, related to the HRV of the individual 90. Basically, the second recommended maximum threshold HRVs,iimexpresses an upper limit for the HRV of the individual 90.

[0092] Preferably, the second recommended maximum threshold HRVs,iim is fixed at 40 msec.

[0093] The above mentioned recommended maximum thresholds further comprise a third recommended maximum threshold BTupr, related to the BT of the individual 90. Basically, the third recommended maximum threshold BTupr expresses an upper limit for the BT of the individual 90.

[0094] Preferably, the third recommended maximum threshold BTupris determined by taking into account that the BT of the individual 90 can vary within predetermined temperature intervals which depend on the following factors:

[0095] - age and sex of the individual 90;

[0096] - time of measurement (generally, the BT of the individual 90 is lowest in the early morning and highest in the late afternoon);

[0097] - intake of food and liquids;

[0098] - for women, the stage of the menstrual cycle.

[0099] In some preferred embodiments, the predetermined temperature intervals for the third recommended maximum threshold BTuprare those given in Table 1 below: _

[0100] Age of the individual [years

[0101] 0-2 3-10 11-65 >65

[0102]

[0103] BTuprEC1 37.3 36.7 36.9 36.3

[0104] Table 1

[0105] The above mentioned recommended maximum thresholds further comprise a fourth recommended maximum threshold SCRupr, related to the EDA of the individual 90. Basically, the fourth recommended maximum threshold SCRuprexpresses an upper limit for the EDA (and, in particular, the SCR) of the individual 90. Preferably, the fourth recommended maximum threshold SCRuprcorresponds to a maximum frequency of “valid” pulses (for example, 20 min'1).

[0106] In some variants, the processing device 20 is configured to calculate one or more (or all) of: the second recommended maximum threshold HRVs,iim; the third recommended maximum threshold BTupr; and the fourth recommended maximum threshold SCRupr. In alternative variants, the processing device 20 is configured to receive as input one or more (or all) of: the second recommended maximum threshold HRVs,iim; the third recommended maximum threshold BTupr; and the fourth recommended maximum threshold SCRupr(for example, by obtaining such recommended maximum threshold(s) from further processing devices like the ones cited above).

[0107] Preferably, the chart 80 is based on a Cartesian plane.

[0108] In the preferred and illustrated embodiments, each parameter and / or variable related to the individual 90 is shown in a respective quadrant of the Cartesian plane.

[0109] In particular, in the cited figures:

[0110] - the second recommended maximum threshold HRVs,iimand the current HRV (HRV’) can be shown in a first quadrant 21 (highlighted in Figure 3a) of the Cartesian plane;

[0111] - the first recommended maximum threshold HRiimand the current HR (HR’) can be shown in a second quadrant 22 (highlighted in Figure 3b) of the Cartesian plane;

[0112] - the third recommended maximum threshold BTuprand the current BT (BT’) can be shown in a third quadrant 23 (highlighted in Figure 3c) of the Cartesian plane; and

[0113] - the fourth recommended maximum threshold SCRuprand the current EDA (N’scr) can be shown in a fourth quadrant 24 (highlighted in Figure 3d) of the Cartesian plane. In practice, each quadrant 21-24 is associated with a respective variable related to the individual 90. In turn, each of these variables (i.e., each variable associated with the quadrants 21-24) is associated with the above mentioned four parameters of the individual 90.

[0114] Preferably, each parameter (and each variable) related to the individual 90 is shown on a respective bisecting line 25-28 of the respective quadrant 21-24.

[0115] In the preferred and illustrated embodiments, the scale of values for HRV, HR, BT and EDA is to be read along the diagonals of the chart 80.

[0116] In particular, in the cited figures:

[0117] - the second recommended maximum threshold HRVs,iimand the current HRV (HRV’) are shown along a bisecting line 25 of the first quadrant 21;

[0118] - the first recommended maximum threshold HRiimand the current HR (HR’) are shown along a bisecting line 26 of the second quadrant 22;

[0119] - the third recommended maximum threshold BTuprand the current BT (BT’) are shown along a bisecting line 27 of the third quadrant 23; and

[0120] - the fourth recommended maximum threshold SCRuprand the current EDA (N’scr) are shown along a bisecting line 28 of the fourth quadrant 24.

[0121] In some preferred embodiments, the chart 80 comprises a first quadrilateral 40 and a second quadrilateral 30.

[0122] The first recommended maximum threshold HRiim, the second recommended maximum threshold HRVs.iim, the third recommended maximum threshold BTuprand the fourth recommended maximum threshold SCRupr define respective vertices of the first quadrilateral 40. By contrast, the current HR (HR'), the current HRV (HRV), the current BT (BT') and the current EDA (N'scr) define respective vertices of the second quadrilateral 30.

[0123] In the preferred and illustrated embodiments, the first quadrilateral 40 includes the second quadrilateral 30.

[0124] Advantageously, an outer perimeter 42 of the first quadrilateral 40 can externally delimit an available emotional range Q for the individual 90, while an outer perimeter 32 of the second quadrilateral 30 can externally delimit a current experiential range Q(t’) for (or relating to) that individual 90.

[0125] In particular, the current experiential range Q(t’) expresses an extent of the experience undergone by the individual 90.

[0126] In practice, during detection of the HR, HRV, BT and EDA of the individual 90, the current values HR’, HRV’, BT’ and N’SCr form respective vertices of the current experiential range Q(t’); at the same time, the four recommended maximum thresholds, HRiim, HRVs.iim, BTuprand SCRupr, form respective vertices of the available experiential range Q.

[0127] Therefore, when the current values HR’, HRV’, BT’ and N’SCr reach the respective recommended maximum thresholds HRiim, HRVs.iim, BTuprand SCRupr, the current experiential range Q(t’) is coincident with the available emotional range Q, and this coincident condition is indicative of reaching a condition of maximum extent of the experience undergone by the individual 90.

[0128] In some circumstances, one or more of the current values HR’, HRV’, BT’, N’scr may exceed the respective recommended maximum thresholds HRiim, HRVsjim, BTuPr, SCRupr. As a consequence, in some particularly preferred embodiments, the chart 80 comprises an outer quadrilateral 50 which includes the first quadrilateral 40, and each vertex of the outer quadrilateral 50 expresses a respective theoretical maximum value HRmax, HRVmax, BTmax, or SCRmax detectable by, respectively, the first sensing device 12, the second sensing device 14, the third sensing device 16, and the fourth sensing device 18.

[0129] In the preferred and illustrated embodiments, the outer quadrilateral 50 is square in shape. In particular, each axis of the Cartesian plane is an axis of symmetry of the outer quadrilateral 50.

[0130] In some preferred embodiments, the outer quadrilateral 50 includes an outer shadow zone Zext, arranged externally to the first quadrilateral 40. In other words, the outer perimeter 42 of the first quadrilateral 40 internally delimits the outer shadow zone Zext; in turn, the outer shadow zone Zext is externally delimited by an outer perimeter 52 of the outer quadrilateral 50.

[0131] In some preferred embodiments, the chart 80 further comprises an inner shadow zone Zint. The inner shadow zone Zintis arranged internally to the first quadrilateral 40. Moreover, the inner shadow zone Zint defines an inner perimeter 62.

[0132] The inner perimeter 62 can constitute an inner perimeter of the first quadrilateral 40 (see, for example, Figures 4-6) and / or of the second quadrilateral 30 (see, for example, Figure 2).

[0133] Furthermore, the inner perimeter 62 identifies minimum threshold values for, respectively, the HR of the individual 90, the HRV of the individual 90, the BT of the individual 90, and the EDA of the individual 90. In other words, the inner perimeter 62 externally delimits the inner shadow zone Zint, which defines a region of the Cartesian plane inside which the HR, HRV, BT and EDA of the individual 90 cannot fall (barring malfunctioning of the system 10 and / or death of the individual 90).

[0134] Advantageously, the processing device 20 is further configured to: - perform a comparison of the current HR (HR’), the current HRV (HRV’), the current BT (BT’), and the current EDA (N’scr) with respective minimum thresholds (HRmin, HRVyim, BT|r, SCRlwr) for, respectively, the HR of the individual 90, the HRV of the individual 90, the BT of the individual 90, and the EDA of the individual 90; and

[0135] - provide a result of the above mentioned comparison (between current values and minimum threshold values), in the form of a graphical representation 80 and / or a summary indicator.

[0136] In particular, the minimum threshold values define:

[0137] - a first minimum threshold HRmin, related to the HR of the individual 90; - a second minimum threshold HRVmm, related to the HRV of the individual 90;

[0138] - a third minimum threshold BTlwr, related to the BT of the individual 90; and

[0139] - a fourth minimum threshold SCRlwr, related to the EDA of the individual 90.

[0140] In some preferred embodiments, the first minimum threshold HRmin corresponds to the minimum resting HR.

[0141] Preferably, the second minimum threshold HRVmmis fixed at 20 msec. In some preferred embodiments, the third minimum threshold BTiwr is determined by taking account of the age of the individual 90, for example as shown in Table 2 below:

[0142] Age of the individual [years]

[0143] 0z2 3-10 11-65 >65

[0144]

[0145] BTiwr [°C1 34.7 35.9 35.2 35.6

[0146] Table 2

[0147] Preferably, the fourth minimum threshold SCRlwrcorresponds to a minimum frequency of “valid” pulses (for example, 2 min'1).

[0148] In some variants, the processing device 20 is configured to calculate one or more (or all) of: the first minimum threshold HRmin; the second minimum threshold HRVmm; the third minimum threshold BT|r; and the fourth minimum threshold SCRlwr. In alternative variants, the processing device 20 is configured to receive as input one or more (or all) of: the first minimum threshold HRmin; the second minimum threshold HRVmm; the third minimum threshold BTlwr; and the fourth minimum threshold SCRlwr(for example, by obtaining such minimum threshold(s) from further processing devices like the ones cited above).

[0149] To improve identification of the above mentioned four parameters of the individual 90 on the chart 80, and in order to facilitate the distinction of the four quadrants 21-24 of that chart 80, each quadrant 21-24 can have a respective color. Preferably, each color of the quadrants 21-24 has a plurality of shades, in particular a shade that substantially intensifies as (a) distance from an origin O of the Cartesian plane increases. For example, when moving away from the inner shadow zone Zint, the colors of the quadrants 21-24 may become increasingly deep / intense (or darker).

[0150] Advantageously, the processing device 20 can be further configured to calculate an area of the current experiential range Q(t’). In this manner, the processing device 20 can further facilitate an objective assessment of an experience undergone by the individual 90. Therefore, the area of the current experiential range Q(t’) can also be defined as “area of the experience” or “experiential area”.

[0151] In the preferred and illustrated embodiments, the area of the current experiential range Q(t’) extends from the outer perimeter 32 to the inner perimeter 62.

[0152] In practice, the area of the current experiential range Q(t’) can be calculated by subtracting an overall area of the inner shadow zone Zint from an overall area of the second quadrilateral 30.

[0153] The area of the experience (i.e., the area of the current experiential range Q(t ’)) can also be indicated as Aexp.

[0154] In particularly advanced preferred embodiments, the processing device 20 can (be further configured to) provide a graphical representation as a function of time of the area of the experience Aexp, so as to represent in real time an evolution of the experience of the individual 90 during that experience. For example, when the individual 90 is a dancer, the processing device 20 can show an evolution of the area of the experience of the dancer during an artistic performance performed by that dancer, and optionally compare this artistic performance with the experience undergone by one or more spectators.

[0155] In some preferred embodiments, the processing device 20 is further configured to calculate an area Sa of the available emotional range Q. In practice, the area Sa of the available emotional range Q represents the extent of the experience to be assessed (or investigated).

[0156] In the preferred and illustrated embodiments, the area Sa of the available experiential range Q extends from the inner perimeter 62 (i.e., from an edge of the inner shadow zone Zint) to the outer perimeter 42 of the first quadrilateral 40.

[0157] In practice, the area Sa of the available emotional range Q can be calculated by subtracting the area of the inner and outer shadow zones Zint and Zext from an overall area Stot of the outer quadrilateral 50 (see, for example, Figure 6). In other words, the area Sa of the available emotional range Q can be calculated by subtracting the area of the inner shadow zone Zint from an overall area of the first quadrilateral 40.

[0158] Advantageously, the processing device 20 can be further configured to express a value of the area of the current experiential range Q(t’) (i.e., a value of the experiential area Aexp) as a percentage of the area Sa of the available emotional range Q.

[0159] In practice, the area of the experience is directly proportional to the extent of the experience to be assessed (and, thus, to the area Sa of the emotional field). As a consequence, quantifying the area of the experience as a percentage value of the area Sa of the available emotional range Q makes it possible to objectively assess the experience undergone by the individual 90, by means of a number that quantifies the extent of that experience.

[0160] In particularly advanced preferred embodiments, the processing device 20 can (be) further (configured to) express a margin of experience of the individual 90.

[0161] In the preferred and illustrated embodiments, the margin of experience of the individual 90 is represented by the portion of the chart 80 that extends from the outer perimeter 32 of the second quadrilateral 30 to the outer perimeter 42 of the first quadrilateral 40.

[0162] Preferably, the margin of experience of the individual 90 is calculated as a percentage of the area Sa of the available emotional range Q. In this manner, an objective assessment of an amount of unexploited experience (i.e., an amount of of how much of the experience was not exploited) by the individual 90 during the experience undergone is obtained.

[0163] Further details of a possible algorithm for calculating the area Aexpof the current experiential range Q(t’) and / or the area Sa of the available emotional range Q will be discussed below.

[0164] The algorithm referred to is described with reference to Figures 2-6, wherein each quadrant 21-24 is associated with a respective input data item of the algorithm. Therefore, the input data that the algorithm is capable of processing are the following: HR, HRV, BT, muscular electrical activity (amplitude, speed of conduction, latency, response). The muscular electrical activity can be represented by the EDA. In the figures considered herein, the scales relating to the four input data items should be read, respectively, along the bisecting lines 25-28.

[0165] Assuming that, in Figures 2-6, each shade of color of the quadrants 21-24 has a value of 0.20, and that the outer quadrilateral 50 is a square, then each variable may take any value between 0 and 1. Under these assumptions, each diagonal of the outer quadrilateral 50 has a length equal to 2.00, while the overall area Stot of the outer quadrilateral 50 is equal to 2.00.

[0166] In light of the above assumptions, the algorithm considered here comprises the following steps:

[0167] - determining parametric limit values;

[0168] - determining “individual values”;

[0169] - determining the area of the shadow zones; and

[0170] - determining the area of the experience.

[0171] Determining parametric limit values

[0172] The following parametric limit values (comprised between 0 and 1.00) are determined:

[0173]

[0174] max = 1 (r.l) HR’min = HRmin / (HRmax “ HR0) (r.2) HR’lim= HRlim / (HRmax - HRo) (r.3) HRV’Uim= HRViJim / (HRVmax - HRVo) (r.4) HRV\iim= HRVs,lim / (HRVmax - HRVo) (r.5) BT’lwr = BTlwr / (BTmax “ BTo) (r.6) BT’upr = BTupr / (BTmax - BTo) (r.7) SCR’lwr N scr,i Nscr.lwr / (SCRmax - SCRo) (r.8) SCR’upr = N’scr.s Nscr.upr / (SCRmax - SCRo) (r.9) wherein:

[0175] - HRo is the value of HR in the center of the Cartesian plane;

[0176] - HRVo is the value of HRV in the center of the Cartesian plane;

[0177] - BT0is the value of BT in the center of the Cartesian plane;

[0178] - Nscr.iwr identifies a minimum number of valid ASCRs, i.e. the minimum number of SCR peaks that are considered valid if the difference between two consecutive SCR peaks is greater than a suitably chosen threshold (typically variable between 0.01 and 0.05 ms);

[0179] - SCRo identifies a number of valid ASCRs in the center of the Cartesian plane; and

[0180] " Nscr.upr identifies a maximum number of valid ASCRs, i.e. the maximum of SCR peaks that are considered valid if the difference between two consecutive SCR peaks is greater than a suitably chosen threshold (typically variable between 0.01 and 0.05 ms).

[0181] Preferably, the value of SCRo is equal to 0. In this manner, SCRo indicates an absence of SCR peaks.

[0182] Preferably, the value of NSCr,iwr is equal to 2.

[0183] Preferably, the value of N scr,upr is equal to 20.

[0184] Determining “individual values”

[0185] Let Atj denote a time interval of the measurement of the parameters of the individual 90. In addition, let AT denote a duration of the experience to be objectively assessed (i.e., a duration of the experience undergone by the individual 90). Given these assumptions, Ati and AT can be linked to each other as follows:

[0186] AT = ^Atj (r.1O)

[0187]

[0188] i=i

[0189] n = AT / Atj (r.ll)

[0190] with:

[0191] Atj > Atmp (r.12)

[0192] wherein Atmp identifies a time interval below which the variable ASCR is undefinable.

[0193] In this context, the values of the variables already defined for the experience to be assessed (relative to the duration AT) can be determined as follows:

[0194] n HR'^ HR'j (r.13)

[0195] J=1

[0196] n

[0197] n BT'^ BT'j (r.15)

[0198] J=1

[0199] n

[0200] = (r.16)

[0201]

[0202] J=1

[0203] In the relations r.13 to r.16 above, the primes (') indicate the parameterized values (comprised between 0 and 1) of the variables according to the following relations, r.17 to r.20:

[0204] HR’ = (HR - HR0) / (HRmax- HR0) (r.17)

[0205] HRV’ = (HRV - HRVo) / (HRVmax- HRV0) (r.18)

[0206] BT’ = (BT - BT0) / (BTmax- BT0) (r.19)

[0207] N’scr = (Nscr - SCR0) / (SCRmax- SCRo) (r.20)

[0208] where Nscrindicates a current number of valid ASCRs, i.e. the current number of SCR peaks that are considered valid if the difference between two consecutive SCR peaks is greater than the suitably chosen threshold.

[0209] Determining the area of the shadow zones

[0210] The area of the inner shadow zone Zint can be calculated as follows:

[0211] int +

[0212]

[0213] (r.21) where N’scr.iwr is the parameterized value of the parameter NSCr,iwr.

[0214] The area of the outer shadow zone Zext can be calculated as follows: pjf J) HRVl + KcrJ

[0215]

[0216] (r.22 where N’Scr,uPr is the parameterized value of the parameter NScr,uPr.

[0217] Determining the area of the experience

[0218] The area of the experience (Aexp) can be calculated as follows:

[0219] AexP=A exP—Zint (r.23)

[0220] with:

[0221]

[0222] In practice, once the area of the inner shadow zone Zmt is known, the area of the experience can be calculated on the basis of a parametrization of the four current values HR’, N’SCr, HRV’ and BT’ (i.e., by parameterizing the current values of the four variables measured by the sensing devices 12, 14, 16, 18).

[0223] As mentioned, the area of the experience can be expressed as a percentage of the area Sa of the available emotional range Q.

[0224] In particular, a percentage of experience S% can be defined as:

[0225] S% = Aexp • 100 / Sd (r.25)

[0226] Since the area Sa of the available emotional range Q expresses the maximum possible extent for the single individual 90, the area Sa of the available emotional range Q can be considered equal to 100%. Hence, by recalling that the area Sa of the available emotional range Q can be obtained from the overall area Stot of the outer quadrilateral 50 through the area of the two shadow zones Zintand Zext, we can say:

[0227] Stot - Zint - Zext=100% (r.26)

[0228] By inserting the relation r.26 into the relation r.25, the percentage of experience S% can thus be expressed as follows:

[0229] S% = Aexp - 100 / (Stot - Zint - Zext) (r.27) Therefore, working within the above assumptions, the percentage of experience S% can be calculated as:

[0230] S% = Aexp • 100 / (2.00 - Zint - Zext) (r.28)

[0231] In practice, the numeric value of the percentage of experience S% and / or of the area of the experience Aexpcan constitute the summary indicator mentioned above.

[0232] The algorithm presented above can be usefully implemented in the processing device 20, by way of a mobile application compatible with most operating systems (for example, Android and iOS), and downloadable from the leading app stores (for example Google Play and Apple Store).

[0233] The operation of the system 10 is clear and evident from the foregoing description.

[0234] In substance, once the individual 10 is fitted with sensors (i.e., once the four sensing devices 12, 14, 16, 18 are worn by the individual 90), the processing device 20 is capable of providing, as output, an objective indicator (in the form of a graphical representation and / or summary indicator) that expresses the extent of one or more experiences undergone by that individual 90 while the system 10 is in operation.

[0235] Further, by connecting multiple systems 10 to each other, it is possible to network multiple users and, therefore, compare data for experiences undergone by a plurality (for example, millions) of individuals. In this manner, the output supplied by the processing device 20 facilitates the creation of a database of a user community united by at least one experience they have undergone.

[0236] As the size of the user community grows, spurious errors deriving from external or random factors that could influence the objective assessment become negligible. For example, while watching a film, an annoying person nearby can have a negative impact on the experience undergone by the single individual 90. However, as the quantity of data collected for the same film increases, the negative experience undergone by the single individual 90 represents a spurious error that does not affect an overall assessment of the film.

[0237] In practice it has been found that the present invention fully achieves the set aim and objects.

[0238] In particular, it has been seen that the system thus conceived enables an objective assessment of an experience undergone by an individual, thereby making it possible to overcome the qualitative drawbacks of the known art.

[0239] Basically, the system according to the invention enables obtaining an objective assessment of the experience that makes it possible to replace the known mechanisms of subjective assessment. Moreover, thanks to the algorithm and the related mobile application, this objective assessment can be automated, so as to provide objective reviews of one or more experiences.

[0240] There are innumerable possible uses of the system according to the invention. For example, an operator of a ski resort could assess whether a certain piste is fun for one or more skiers; also, skiers could compare their experience with their experience in other resorts. As an additional example, when a user is searching for an ideal partner, the system makes it possible to obtain an objective measurement of the experience undergone during a date. Moreover, a motorcycle manufacturer could assess how much a prospective customer has enjoyed a test drive, and decide how to modify that test drive to make it more attractive (where this modification is based not so much on subjective individual sensations or on the basis of a sales office of the motorcycle manufacturer, but rather on the basis of a stream of hard data). The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variants, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0241] Except where indicated otherwise, the various embodiments described above can be combined in order to provide further and / or alternative embodiments. In addition, the present description covers combinations of variants and preferred embodiments that are not explicitly described.

[0242] Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0243] In practice the contingent dimensions and shapes may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0244] In conclusion, the scope of protection of the claims shall not be limited by the figures or by the preferred embodiments illustrated in the description by way of examples, but rather the claims shall comprise all the patentable characteristics of novelty that reside in the present invention, including all the characteristics that would be considered as equivalent by the person skilled in the art.

[0245] Except for the expression “electric current”, the word “current” used throughout the description and the claims is an adjective. In some circumstances, the adjective “current” may be interpreted as “instantaneous” or “present”.

[0246] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102024000026541 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0247] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system (10) for objectively assessing an experience undergone by an individual (90), said system (10) comprising:a first sensing device (12), configured to detect a heart rate, HR, of said individual (90);a second sensing device (14), configured to detect a heart rate variability, HRV, of said individual (90);a third sensing device (16), configured to detect a body temperature, BT, of said individual (90);a fourth sensing device (18), configured to detect an electrodermal activity, EDA, of said individual (90); anda processing device (20), configured to:- determine a current HR (HR') of said individual (90), by means of said first sensing device (12);- determine a current HRV (HRV') of said individual (90), by means of said second sensing device (14);- determine a current BT (BT') of said individual (90), by means of said third sensing device (16);- determine a current EDA (N'scr) of said individual (90), by means of said fourth sensing device (18);- perform a comparison of said current HR (HR'), said current HRV (HRV), said current BT (BT') and said current EDA (N'SCr) with respective recommended maximum thresholds (HRiim, HRVs.iim, BTupr, SCRupr) for said HR of said individual (90), said HRV of said individual (90), said BT of said individual (90), and said EDA of said individual (90); and- provide a result of said comparison, in the form of a graphical representation (80) and / or summary indicator, so as to objectively assess said experience undergone by said individual (90).

2. The system (10) according to claim 1, wherein providing said result of said comparison comprises showing a chart (80) which shows said currentHR (HR'), said current HRV (HRV), said current BT (BT), said current EDA (N'scr) and said recommended maximum thresholds (HRiim, HRVs.iim, BTupr, SCRupr).

3. The system (10) according to claim 2, wherein:said chart (80) is based on a Cartesian plane;said recommended maximum thresholds (HRiim, HRVs.iim, BTupr, SCRupr) comprise:- a first recommended maximum threshold (HRiim), related to said HR of said individual (90),- a second recommended maximum threshold (HRVs.iim), related to said HRV of said individual (90),- a third recommended maximum threshold (BTupr), related to said BT of said individual (90), and- a fourth recommended maximum threshold (SCRupr), related to said EDA of said individual (90);said second recommended maximum threshold (HRVs,iim) and said current HRV (HRV) are shown in a first quadrant (21) of said Cartesian plane, preferably along a bisecting line (25) of said first quadrant (21);said first recommended maximum threshold (HRiim) and said current HR (HR') are shown in a second quadrant (22) of said Cartesian plane, preferably along a bisecting line (26) of said second quadrant (22);said third recommended maximum threshold (BTupr) and said current BT (BT') are shown in a third quadrant (23) of said Cartesian plane, preferably on a bisecting line (27) of said third quadrant (23); andsaid fourth recommended maximum threshold (SCRupr) and said current EDA (N'SCr) are shown in a fourth quadrant (24) of said Cartesian plane, preferably on a respective bisecting line (28) of said fourth quadrant (24).

4. The system (10) according to claim 3, wherein:said chart (80) comprises a first quadrilateral (40) which includes asecond quadrilateral (30);said first recommended maximum threshold (HRiim), said second recommended maximum threshold (HRVs.iim), said third recommended maximum threshold (BTupr) and said fourth recommended maximum threshold (SCRupr) define respective vertices of said first quadrilateral (40); andsaid current HR (HR'), said current HRV (HRV), said current BT (BT) and said current EDA (N'scr) define respective vertices of said second quadrilateral (30).

5. The system (10) according to claim 4, wherein:an outer perimeter (42) of said first quadrilateral (40) externally delimits an available emotional range (Q) for said individual (90); andan outer perimeter (32) of said second quadrilateral (30) externally delimits a current experiential range (Q(t')) related to said individual (90), said current experiential range (Q(t')) expressing in particular an extent of said experience undergone by said individual (90).

6. The system (10) according to claim 5, wherein said chart (80) comprises an outer quadrilateral (50) which includes said first quadrilateral (40), each vertex of said outer quadrilateral (50) expressing a respective theoretical maximum value (HRmax, HRVmax, BTmax, SCRmax) detectable by, respectively, said first sensing device (12), said second sensing device (14), said third sensing device (16), and said fourth sensing device (18).

7. The system (10) according to claim 6, wherein said outer quadrilateral (50) includes an outer shadow zone (Zext) arranged externally to said first quadrilateral (40).

8. The system (10) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said chart (80) further comprises an inner shadow zone (Zint), arranged internally to said first quadrilateral (40), said inner shadow zone (Zint) forming an inner perimeter (62) of said first quadrilateral (40) and / or of said second quadrilateral (30), said inner perimeter (62) identifying minimum thresholdvalues (HRmin, HRVL|ini, BTlwr, SCRlwr) for, respectively, said HR of said individual (90), said HRV of said individual (90), said BT of said individual (90), and said EDA of said individual (90).

9. The system (10) according to claim 8, wherein said processing device (20) is further configured to calculate an experiential area (Aexp) of said current experiential range (Q(t')) by subtracting an overall area of said inner shadow zone (Zint) from an overall area of said second quadrilateral (30).

10. The system (10) according to claim 9, wherein said processing device (20) is further configured to express a value of said experiential area (Aexp) of said current experiential range (Q(t')) as a percentage of an area (Sa) of said available emotional range (Q).

11. The system (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein each quadrant (21, 22, 23, 24) of said Cartesian plane has a respective color, each color preferably having a shade that substantially intensifies as distance from an origin (O) of said Cartesian plane increases.

12. The system (10) according to any one of preceding claims, wherein said first sensing device (12), said second sensing device (14), said third sensing device (16), said fourth sensing device (18) are integrated into a garment (19).

13. A method for objectively assessing an experience undergone by an individual (90), said method comprising the steps of:determining a first current value (HR'), related to a heart rate, HR, of said individual (90);determining a second current value (HRV), related to a heart rate variability, HRV, of said individual (90);determining a third current value (BT') related to a body temperature, BT, of said individual (90);determining a fourth current value (N'SCr), related to an electrodermal activity, EDA, of said individual (90);performing a comparison of said first current value (HR'), said second current value (HRV), said third current value (BT') and said fourth current value (N'scr) with respective recommended maximum thresholds (HRiim, HRVsjim, BTupr, SCRupr) for said HR of said individual (90), said HRV of said individual (90), said BT of said individual (90) and said EDA of said individual (90); andproviding a result of said comparison, in the form of a graphical representation (80) and / or a summary indicator.

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